The Perks of Being Dad
My husband just returned from taking our two little monkeys on an airplane to see our family in the Midwest (yes, I know you are thinking that he deserves the medal of honor and you are right) and he had plenty of tales to tell. The ones that I found most interesting were the ones that involved some woman making a comment about how brave he was for taking the boys all by himself. All I could think of was how unlilkely I would be to receive those words of praise had it been me taking the boys on the airplane, and come to think of it, why wasn’t he offended by such sexist remarks? They were basically saying that they were impressed he could even handle such a task, like he was incompetent or something. Luckily a couple of women took pity on him and helped him navigate the jetway with the two babies which made a big difference. But I was left wondering if the reason most husbands are less inclined to take a bigger role in the care of children is because the world largely still looks at them as unable to do so.
June 6th, 2007 at 4:00 pm
I traveled quite frequently with my son before I got pregnant (my son had already been on 10 airplane trips by the time he was 15 months old). I did get similar reactions as your husband.
However, I do see what you mean about the men vs women thing. My husband is the sort who takes our son to all sorts of places with him (errands, park, haircuts grocery stores, etc) and I’ve gotten all sorts of remarks about “how lucky I am” that he is so comfortable doing that. Sad commentary, eh?
June 6th, 2007 at 4:10 pm
i think things are changing it that world. More men are stepping up and doing more with their children. But alot of men are ok being the “breadwinner” in a world where most women hod jobs and have the greater income. I think it is a societial view of men a women.
Men of the pre-baby boom generation where brought up not being emotionally involved or challanged. That has changed. It will just take time for the generations to catch up…and men to be proud carrying a diaper bag, binky, teddy bear, and small child through the metal detector at the airport.
And yes, no-one would have even looked twice if you had accomplished the same feat. However, I would have offered you a hand.
June 8th, 2007 at 9:19 am
I find it funny just going to the grocery store. I can’t go make it throgh an isle without someone stopping me and making some comment about me and the baby. “Guys day out, eh.”, “Where’s Mom?”, “She’s got you out shopping?” and of course…lots of “What a cute baby!” which I don’t mind.
June 8th, 2007 at 2:37 pm
I personally think its a shame that people think that way. My husband works and I stay at home and therefore of course I do more because I’m home with her more often. However when he gets home he takes on fifty percent of anything that comes with our daughter not because I make him but because she is his princess.
Victoria
http://www.about-sandiegoca.com/
June 8th, 2007 at 11:25 pm
I’m tagging you to blog about why you like blogging about this subject.
http://www.momisteaching.com/i-love-blogging-the-meme/